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The Fragrance Files

Josh & Michy

The Fragrance Files is a long-form podcast about perfume as lived experience.

Through reflective conversations and thoughtful interviews, the show explores scent as identity, memory, culture, and personal ritual. Moving beyond notes and rankings, The Fragrance Files creates space for slower, more meaningful conversations about fragrance and the people who wear it.

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29 episodes
weekly
Avg 1 hr 5 min
English

Episodes 29

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S1 · E38
Friday · 1 hr 20 min
The Vampire
For the month of October we've decided to bring some classic monsters into the light, through a perfume lens. Today we're joined by LC, Professor Perfume, and Immortal Perfumes for a conversation that explores the multifaceted themes surrounding vampires, their cultural significance, and the intersection of fragrance and identity. The participants delve into why vampires endure in popular culture, how they embody societal anxieties, and the unique role of scent in storytelling and personal expression. The conversation explores the evolution of vampire lore from Victorian times to modern interpretations, focusing on societal attitudes towards death, the representation of female vampires, and the significance of fragrance in character portrayal. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Vampire Theme 02:51 The Enduring Allure of Vampires 06:04 Cultural Anxieties and Vampires 08:59 Fragrance as a Storytelling Device 11:56 The Duality of Scent and Sensuality 15:06 Fragrance and Identity Exploration 18:01 The Seduction of the Vampire 20:58 The Role of Restraint in Seduction 23:57 Monsters as Vehicles for Desire 27:00 Fragrance and Personal Identity 32:49 Victorian Perspectives on Death and Vampires 39:55 The Evolution of Vampires in Modern Culture 43:39 The Role of Women in Vampire Lore 50:00 The Vampire Wardrobe: Perfumes and Characters 01:05:23 Exploring Fragrance in Film 01:08:02 Cinematic Inspirations and Personal Connections 01:10:53 Character Fragrances: A Deeper Dive 01:12:19 True Blood: Perfume and Personality 01:15:36 What We Do in the Shadows: Humor and Scent 01:18:12 Blade: The Blood Rave and Beyond 01:22:21 Vampire Films and Their Unique Fragrances 01:23:43 Closing Reflections on Beauty and Darkness
- Transcript
S1 · E37
September 25 · 1 hr 6 min
Perfume News with The Vapor Parade
Special Episode with Liz from The Vapor Parade to talk about the state of our noses, industry shifts, trends, and the upcoming perfume paraphernalia boom we anticipate. Chapters 00:00 Event Tips for Fumed Atlanta 03:19 Upcoming Fragrance Releases 12:02 Personal Fragrance Experiences 31:15 Exploring Fragrance Nuances 42:40 The Rise of Fragrance Accessories 53:59 The Impact of Fragrance on Social Interactions
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S1 · E36
September 18 · 54 min
Mushroom Hunting with CLST Perfumes
The conversation covers JK's journey with Closet Perfumes, including the challenges of rebranding, supply chain issues, and the creative process. We delve into the complexities of being an independent perfumer and the impact of creative control and financial aspects on the brand's development. We hope to see you at Fumed Expo Atlanta! Chapters 00:00 The Journey of Closet Perfumes 02:00 The Impact of Rebranding and Supply Chain Issues 02:48 The Essence of Being Independent 03:50 The Ambiguity of 'Niche' in the Fragrance Industry 36:26 The Evolution of Indie Fragrance Brands 37:17 Blurred Lines: Indie, Niche, and Corporate 38:42 The Value of Authenticity and Originality 39:10 The Impact of Financial Backing on Creative Control 41:14 The Significance of Community in the Indie Fragrance Space 52:26 Taking Risks and Embracing Creativity 01:00:02 Looking Forward to Fumed Atlanta
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S1 · E35
September 11 · 55 min
Honoring History with Harlem Perfume Co.
Teri Johnson, the owner of Harlem Perfume Co. and Harlem Candle Co., shares her journey from travel and lifestyle expert to creating a brand focused on history and storytelling through fragrance. She discusses the inspiration behind her fragrances, the importance of the Harlem Renaissance, and the unique storytelling capability of perfume. The conversation delves into the creative process of fragrance and candle creation, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and historical authenticity. Chapters 00:00 The Journey to Perfume 01:05 From Travel to Harlem Candle Company 03:39 Inspiration from the Harlem Renaissance 21:30 The Power of Fragrance Storytelling 32:14 Collaboration and Creative Briefs 34:00 The Art of Storytelling in Fragrance Creation 38:23 Symbiotic Relationship Between Perfumer and Creative Director 42:41 Expansion into Sephora and Brick-and-Mortar Retailers 47:36 Celebrating Black Culture and Untold Stories
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S1 · E34
September 4 · 1 hr 6 min
Audience Q&A Pt. 2
We take on the audience questions again, with libations flowing we get into some more contentious areas and hot takes. Let us know what you want to hear from us next! Chapters 00:00 The Impact of Storytelling and Marketing in the Fragrance Industry 14:40 The Future of the Fragrance Industry and Audience Engagement 18:32 Accessibility in Fragrance Stores 31:20 Fragrances and Personal Memories 31:37 Fragrance Experiences and Emotional Connections 34:30 Fragrance Memories and Personal Traditions 35:44 The Direction of the Fragrance Industry 42:11 Fragrances to Smell vs. Wear 47:13 Appreciating and Disliking Fragrances 53:01 The Influence of Brand Storytelling 56:12 The Impact of Feedback on Fragrance Creation 01:00:24 Perception of Fragrance Notes 01:05:51 The Role of Influencers in Fragrance Culture
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S1 · E33
August 28 · 1 hr 16 min
She's So Influxious
This week we were able to sit down with the mother of PerfumeTok and founder of Influxious- Funmi Monet to discuss her rise in social media and what changes when you become a founder vs a reviewer. Chapters 00:00 The Scented Journey 05:03 The Evolution of Fragrance Content 08:13 Representation and Diversity in Fragrance 12:28 The Impact of Social Media on Fragrance Talk 20:49 The Sheinification of Perfume Talk 26:35 From Collaboration to Brand Creation 29:40 Creative Control and Ownership 34:09 Principles of Excellence 37:55 Foundational Experiences and Fragrance Creation 43:01 Gold Standard and Magic Hour 48:37 Magic Hour and High Life 54:00 The Creation of High Life Fragrance 55:09 Inspiration from Nigerian Culture 56:06 Launching in Sephora and Navigating Criticism 57:08 Empathy for Brands and Creators 01:03:15 Promoting Black-Owned Fragrance Brands 01:12:29 Highlighting Favorite Black-Owned Fragrances
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S1 · E32
August 21 · 1 hr 8 min
Belonging with Jazmin Saraï
Dana El Masri of Jazmin Saraï shares her olfactory journey, the intersection of scent and music, and the challenges of olfactory art in the modern world. The conversation delves into the intersection of scent, culture, and identity, exploring the emotional and cultural significance of fragrance. It also addresses the Eurocentric nature of perfumery and the impact of music on scent creation. Takeaways Olfactory art requires a level of awareness and perception that often goes unnoticed in the modern world. The emergence of AI and digital platforms has impacted the fragrance industry, creating challenges and opportunities for perfumers. Cultural complexity influences scent creation Eurocentric bias in perfumery Music's influence on scent creation Emotion and authenticity are integral to the creation of fragrances Fragrance plays a significant role in preserving history and culture
- Transcript
S1 · E32
August 14 · 1 hr 18 min
Defining Belonging with Jazmin Sarai
Dana Al Masri of Jasmine Sarai shares her olfactory journey, the intersection of scent and music, and the challenges of olfactory art in the modern world. The conversation delves into the intersection of scent, culture, and identity, exploring the emotional and cultural significance of fragrance. It also addresses the Eurocentric nature of perfumery and the impact of music on scent creation. Takeaways Olfactory art requires a level of awareness and perception that often goes unnoticed in the modern world. The emergence of AI and digital platforms has impacted the fragrance industry, creating challenges and opportunities for perfumers. Cultural complexity influences scent creation Eurocentric bias in perfumery Music's influence on scent creation Emotion and authenticity are integral to the creation of fragrances Fragrance plays a significant role in preserving history and culture Chapters 00:00 The Power of Scent and Memory 01:13 Jazmin Sarai and the Intersection of Scent and Music 02:01 The Role of Scent in Dana's Life 04:38 The Enchanting Intersectionality of Fragrance 06:23 The Impact of AI and Digital Platforms on the Fragrance Industry 11:18 The Importance of Nuance in Perfumery 17:51 Challenges of Olfactory Art in the Modern World 23:38 Mindfulness and Scent 25:57 Identity and Belonging 30:50 Cultural Complexity in Perfumery 44:45 Music's Influence on Scent Creation 50:54 Emotion and Authenticity in Perfumery 56:02 The Impact of Fragrance on Culture and History 01:00:03 Cultural Competency in the World of Fragrance 01:06:43 Challenges Faced by Independent Perfumers 56:02 Preserving History and Culture Through Fragrance
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S1 · E31
August 7 · 1 hr 14 min
Audience Q&A
We asked you, our viewers, to give us questions you've wanted our perspective on. This is one of the most fun episodes we've had and hope you enjoy. If you'd like to submit something for part two- DM us on any platform or comment below!
- Transcript
S1 · E30
July 31 · 1 hr 22 min
The Haunted World of Heretic Parfum
Beyond the perfume, Douglas Little is building haunted worlds. In this episode of The Fragrance Files, we sit down with the founder of Heretic Parfum to explore why darkness, folklore, horror, and the supernatural have always been fertile ground for scent. Douglas shares the origins of Heretic, the challenges of building an independent fragrance house before niche perfume became mainstream, and why natural materials continue to inspire his creative process despite their unpredictability. Together, we unpack fragrance as storytelling, from texture and atmosphere to emotion and memory.
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S1 · E29
July 24 · 1 hr 27 min
Michael Nordstrand's Vehicles of Discovery Pt. 2
Following Scent Fest, we sat down with Michael Nordstrand to re-record the second part of his episode. Apologies for the delay but enjoy a poignant, hilarious, and extra long episode to make up for it where we discuss the importance of authorship in perfumery
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S1 · E28
July 17 · 1 hr 9 min
The Scent Fest Episode
It's the Scent Fest Episode Y'all! Delightfully unhinged, we dive into the memories made, the people we saw, and brands we loves, the perfumes we missed, and the bottles we brought home!
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S1 · E27
July 10 · 56 min
Olfactory NYC with JJ Vittoria
The conversation this week delves into the challenges in the fragrance industry, disrupting the industry, accessibility and experience, the model of Olfactory NYC- with the founder JJ Vittoria discussing the role of perfumers, creating fragrance elements, and customer connection and experience.
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S1 · E26
July 3 · 1 hr 3 min
House of Iyrah with Samira Mbang
Samira shares her early fascination with fragrance, influenced by her mother's anosmia and her own emotional connection to scent. She introduces House of Iyrah and discusses the emotive approach to fragrance creation. The conversation delves into the importance of smell and the process of evaluating fragrances, as well as personal aversions to certain fragrance notes.
- Transcript
S1 · E25
June 24 · 49 min
The Perfume Guy & The Goth Fragrance Bestie
This week Josh sits down with Sebastian Jara, also known as The Perfume Guy. With over a decade of perfume content creation and a collection spanning in the thousands, Sebastian has a distinct vision of fragrance as an industry, art form, and community. Tune in next week when Michy returns, back to our normal Friday spot!
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S1 · E24
June 19 · 1 hr 14 min
Liz & The Vapor Parade
Liz, also known as The Vapor Parade, shares her contrarian outlook on fragrance, emphasizing originality and authenticity. We explore her journey of discovering fragrance, niche fragrances, and the impact of specific scents on her life, as well as, transition from the service industry to the tech industry.
- Transcript
S1 · E23
June 12 · 1 hr 5 min
Michy Goes To Esxence
This week it's just the two of us talking about Michy's trip to Milan for Esxence and about things we're loving heading into the summer. Lots of recommendations and lots of PR this week. Thank you to the brands who are supporting our work!
- Transcript
S1 · E23
June 5 · 1 hr 9 min
Witnessing & Archiving with The Pitaya Collective
This week we sit down with Paula Morales of The Pitaya Collective to discuss how spirituality, memory, death, and grief are tied to scent. Fragrance functions as a bridge between the physical, psychological, and spiritual in a way other scents cannot. We wanted to explore that facet with Paula and their perspective as a Mayan Timekeeper and an archivist.
- Transcript
S1 · E21
May 29 · 1 hr 8 min
Michael Nordstrand's Vehicles of Discovery Pt. 1
**Disclaimer at the time of filming this episode the Estee Lauder and Puig merger was still happening. It has since fallen apart. Dries Van Noten will not be part of Estee Lauder.** This week is the first part of a highly anticipated conversation with the one, the only, Michael Nordstrand about the state of the perfume industry, the ugly underbelly of being a perfumer, and the shifting role of the perfumer in a world trying to focus on scale and sales. Tune in next week for part two!
- Transcript
S1 · E20
May 23 · 53 min
The Compounding of The Alloy Studio
This week we sit down with Eddie and Bryson of The Alloy Studios to discuss the brand's foundation in black culture and queer culture before moving into fragrance as fashion, armor, and a way of life.
- Transcript

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